Directional signal device for motor vehicles



Feb. 20, 1940. E. 'r. CONDON 2,190,861

DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed Jan. 2, 1957 F'IG..1..

FIG.2

INVENTOR. EDWARD 73 CONDO/v ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES 2 Claims.

The invention relates to a directional signal device for motor vehicles, more especially to the type embodying an enclosed electric lamp which is to be energized when it is desired to call at- 5 tention, for example, to a rightor left-turn, as by the illumination of an arrow associated therewith.

The invention has for an object the provision of a compact directional signal device wherein the signal thus afforded will have clear definition and uniform and maximum illumination so as to be visible at relatively long distances with the use of a minimum candle power lamp, as .well as requiring but a relatively small housing to accommodate the said lamp.

A further object of the invention resides in the novel arrangement of parts whereby all confusing glare when the lamp is energized is eliminated.

These objects are attained in the novel construction which embodies a suitable lamp housing open at the front and retaining within the same an electric lamp with illuminable filament. Light from this lamp is reflected through the said opening as a beam of rays directed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said housing, while the front of the housing is closed by a light-transmitting element or lens member upon which is provided the desired design or signal fluted vertically and transversely to the axis of said beam. In accordance with the invention,

such design or signal is constituted of two more or less separated light-transmitting portions of the lens with intermediate opaque portion, which latter portion is arranged to lie in the optical axis of the lamp, that is to say, to intercept or obscure substantially all rays of light proceeding directly from the filament, only those reflected beyond this portion being visible when the directional signal device is viewed'directly from the front.

By this expedient, not only is a clear definition and intense effect secured, but all confusing glare or blur which would result from a direct view of the filament is obviated. Moreover, there results no interference from the lateral spreading of the rays passing through the fluted light-transmitting portion with any light which might be derived from the direct view of the filament.

The present invention is a continuation in part 0 of application for Letters Patent Serial No. 635,-

006, filed by me the 27th day of September, 1932, and issued April 20, 1937, as Patent No. 2,077,461 for Directional signfor motor vehicles.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates 55 a practical embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the novel directional signal device.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section therethrough. Referring to the drawing, the novel signal device is indicated as embodying a housing of the 8 acorn type comprising, for example, an inner secured portion l0 in the nature of a bowl and'an outer portion II in the nature of a barrel or open cylinder. Said cylinder, as shown, is designed to be separately secured to the bowl and 10 its outer portion is turned inwardly and backwardly upon itself, as at l2, to aflord a shoulder for a light-transmitting, design-bearing element or lens portion I3. The latter may be of the vertically-fluted type adapted to spread light-rays more or less laterally.

The particular design of the signal to be displayed, namely a split arrow-head, may be afforded by means of a stencil plate located immediately behind the lens; but such design is preferably provided by grinding the back surface of the lens as at I4 and I5 to secure the desired design. The remainder of the lens surface is rendered opaque by painting the same or through the provision of a suitable stencil. Such opaque portion l6 separates the converging sides It and I5 forming the arrow-head; and, in accordance with the invention, is so positioned with respect to the filament ll of a lamp l8, as in the optical axis thereof, as to intercept direct rays therefrom when the signal device is viewed from the front.

Behind this lamp is located a parabolic reflector 20, the filament ll of the said lamp being located substantially in the focus of the reflector so that beams of light 2| substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing will be projected through the lens 13. These rays are intercepted except at the light-transmitting or design portions l4 and I5. It is preferred, also, to locate between said lens and lamp 9. color screen 22, tor example, of yellow selenium glass.

I claim:

1. In a directional signal device for motor ve hicles: a lamp housing open at one end, an electric lamp with illuminable filament mounted within the housing, together with means for directing light rays from the lamp substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said housing, light-transmitting element bearing a split arrowhead design, said element completely closing the opening of said housing. and said element being opaque over a portion positioned in the optical axis of the lamp filament to screen substantially said filament when the device is viewed from the front and having light-transmitting portions upon opposite sides of said opaque portion for passing the directed light rays.

2. In a directional signal device for motor vehicles: a lamp housing open at one end, an electric lamp with illuminable filament mounted within the housing, together with a reflecting surface behind said lamp for directing light rays therefrom through the front 01' the housing substantially parallel to the longitudinal I318 01 581d 2 '2,1ao,se1

housing, a light-transmitting element bearing a split arrowhead design, said-element completely closing the opening 01' said housing, and said element being opaque over a portion positioned in the optical axis of the lamp filament to screen substantially said filament when the device is viewed from the front, and having light-transmitting portions upon opposite sides 01' said opaque portion for passing the reflected rays.

EDWARD T. CONDON. 

